Santarossa Mosaic & Tile is proud to couple its traditional roots with innovation in all the work we do. We enjoy partnering in rennovation and new construction projects to renew and revitilize cities and towns throughout Midwest.

Innovation: The Vitrification Process

Floor surfaces receive more wear than any other finished surface because of the consistent traffic over the material. With the rising demand for more durable materials, Santarossa began to experiment with different finishes for floors and other hard surfaces that could help reduce wear and promote product longevity. Through various trials, our company was able to aid in the creation of a process called vitrification, which strengthens and protects marble, terrazzo, and stained concrete surfaces. During this VOC-free chemical process, Calcium Carbonate is converted to Calcium Fluoride through the use of diamond polishing pads and polishing compounds. This leaves a rock-hard surface with an extra high shine. Vitrification can be performed during installation and restoration processes alike. It makes for easy cleaning and maintenance and does not require constant stripping and refinishing like waxes do. Santarossa is proud of its contribution to making the most durable materials in the industry, which remain in businesses and homes longer and out of landfills.

Old World Craftsmanship: Palladiana Terrazzo

The old world craft of Palladiana terrazzo was developed in Italy in the 16th Century, and the tradition continues at Santarossa to this day. Another Jeff Laramore original design, the Waterwall outside the downtown Indianapolis J.W. Mariott is a beautiful example of this type of terrazzo. Palladiana terrazzo consists traditionally of marble smashed into large pieces which are then fitted together as a mosaic. They are secured with a terrazzo grout, which contains contrastingly small chips of aggregate. The result is a confetti of various sized stone chips that create a mural. The Waterwall exhibits Indiana’s state bird and state flower with cardinals flying among a cluster of peony bushes. Visitors enjoy their peaceful surroundings as they listen to the water that flows over this colorful Indiana wall art.

Artistic Vision: Spherical Art Constructed from Slab Material

Santarossa was honored to partner with artist Jeff Laramore in the creation of the spherical onyx sculpture in front of the IU Cancer Center in downtown Indianapolis. Mr. Laramore’s design for the onyx sculpture went through many transformations during the design process. The idea actually began as a geodesic dome shape with triangular facets cut from an onyx slab. But as he developed his vision, Jeff wondered if there was a way to make a perfectly smooth sphere from the slab material. After consulting with Santarossa’s experienced professionals, both artist and craftsmen were able to create an ingenious solution. First, Santarossa built a metal frame to support the weight of the stone. Then, an acrylic ball was fabricated in California, which would provide an adhering surface for the stone. Since the sphere was to be fabricated from flat slab material, the many cut pieces needed to dovetail perfectly together. It was determined that cutting the stone into paisley-shaped puzzle pieces would accomplish this seamlessness. The artist hand-selected each portion of the slab and specified where on the sculpture he wanted to use it. He strategically placed the different colored veins of the stone to create a cellular look. The still flat pieces of onyx were laid on their acrylic base, and gaps beneath the slabs were filled with glue. Once fully assembled, the shape had a faceted appearance, however the slab’s thickness allowed for it to be ground down and smoothed until it was perfectly round. The flowing shapes of the final work give a feeling of serenity, especially at night when the sphere glows from within.